THE SNP’s new equalities convener has hit out at the “tiny minority” of SNP members “who are complaining loudly" about the results of the party's internal elections.
North Lanarkshire councillor Lynne Anderson was one of the big winners in Monday’s contest, taking both the equalities position and triumphing in the battle to be local government convenor.
She told The National that she did not expect to win both positions, and as they “require much work and attention” she will be standing down as local government convener.
Her victory, and the success of the Women’s Pledge group in the internal election results, has fuelled simmering tensions in the party over plans to reforms of the Gender Recognition Act.
A number of members have taken to Twitter to protest the results, using the #SayYesToEquality hashtag.
The Scottish Government want to make it simpler for trans people to receive a gender recognition certificate. Currently a transgender person requires medical evidence and a two-year period of living as that gender before they’re eligible for the certificate, but if the Scottish Government legislation passes, they can obtain it through self-declaration after six months.
The SNP’s Women’s Pledge group have said this has the potential to put women’s sex-based rights at risk.
They’ve grown in size over the last year and have the support of a number of MPs and MSPs, including Joanna Cherry.
However, they also have a number of critics in the party, who regard their position as transphobic.
The #SayYesToEquality pledge states: “The equality we seek for our country with independence goes hand in hand with the equality we seek for everyone within Scotland.
“Our commitment to the realisation of equality and human rights is the foundation of a just a decent society - a Scotland where no one is left behind.”
One of those who shared this new pledge was the SNP MP for Aberdeen North, Kirsty Blackman. She suggested the campaign against the gender reforms had more to do with “empire building” in the SNP.
She said: “There’s a lot to be sad about this morning. But please be assured that there are still many, many good people fighting for fairness and inclusion. I and so many of my friends continue to be vocal trans allies no matter what is thrown at us.”
Cherry then shared the #SayYesToEquality pledge, adding: “Good to see @theSNP members reaffirming their commitment to equality for all with no one left behind.
“As a young lesbian feminist I gave up on party politics in the 80s thinking I would never be accepted. It’s great how things have changed.”
That prompted Blackman to respond: “Things have moved forward some since the 80s but there is always more to do. I do not want to see trans people & ally young people continuing to give up on @theSNP because of your actions and the actions of other prominent members.”
Cherry replied: “I’ve done nothing to set back the rights of trans people or young people & in saying so you are in violation of @theSNP code of conduct. I’ll ignore the ageism as I wouldn’t expect a privileged young straight woman to know what it was like for lesbians in the 80s.”
Anderson said she found the reaction to the results bizarre.
She said: “I would like to thank Fiona Robertson for her previous work in the equalities convener role and welcome her continued input in making our party more inclusive and striving to make our members aware of all equality issues.
“I have found the hyperbole and personal abuse which ensued after the election results were published bizarre though. These internal elections are democracy in action. All members are able to put themselves forward for these positions. The tiny minority who are complaining loudly about the results in the social media bubble should do just that - put themselves forward and ask members for their vote.
“Equality for all oppressed or minority groups will flourish. There is a lot of paranoia and badly-informed rumour, but no one should worry.
“I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the new NEC and working toward a fairer and more equitable independent Scotland.”
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